Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving an instruction at a processor to perform an operation that includes storing a specified data value in a memory block having an address, the memory block configured to store data therein; accessing a state indicator by the processor without altering a value of the state indicator, the state indicator stored in a memory location independent of the memory block, wherein accessing includes sending a request to an operator to return the value of the state indicator to the processor; determining based on the value of the state indicator whether the memory block is in one of a plurality of pre-defined states that includes data values stored in a repeating pattern in the memory block, the state indicator indicating that the memory block is in one of the plurality of pre-defined states without identifying contents of the repeating pattern; based on the memory block being in one of the plurality of pre-defined states: inspecting an initial portion of the data stored in the memory block to identify contents of the repeating pattern, the initial portion a subset of the data stored in the memory block; based on the contents of the repeating pattern being the same as the specified data value, not storing the specified data value to the memory block; and based on the repeating pattern not being the same as the specified data value, storing the specified data value to the memory block; and based on the memory block not being in the pre-defined state, storing the specified data value to the memory block.
This invention relates to a computer-implemented method for optimizing memory operations by detecting and handling repeating data patterns in memory blocks. The problem addressed is the inefficiency of repeatedly storing identical data values in memory, which consumes unnecessary processing time and memory resources. The method involves receiving an instruction to store a specified data value in a memory block at a given address. Before performing the storage operation, the processor accesses a state indicator stored independently of the memory block, which indicates whether the memory block contains data in a repeating pattern without specifying the pattern's contents. The state indicator is accessed without modifying its value, and the processor determines if the memory block is in one of several predefined states, including those with repeating patterns. If the memory block is in a repeating pattern state, the processor inspects an initial portion of the stored data to identify the pattern. If the repeating pattern matches the specified data value, the storage operation is skipped to avoid redundancy. If the pattern does not match or the memory block is not in a repeating state, the specified data value is stored as usual. This approach reduces redundant memory writes, improving efficiency in systems where repeating data patterns are common.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining is performed without changing the value of the state indicator.
A system and method for managing state indicators in a computing environment addresses the problem of efficiently determining the state of a system without altering the state indicator itself. This is particularly useful in scenarios where monitoring or diagnostic operations must be performed without disrupting the system's operational state. The method involves analyzing the state indicator to assess the system's condition, such as whether it is active, idle, or in an error state, while ensuring the state indicator's value remains unchanged throughout the process. This approach prevents unintended side effects that could arise from modifying the state indicator during evaluation. The system may include a processor configured to execute instructions for performing the state determination, along with memory for storing the state indicator and other relevant data. The method ensures that the state indicator is read-only during the determination process, maintaining system integrity and reliability. This technique is applicable in various computing applications, including real-time monitoring, fault detection, and system diagnostics, where preserving the state indicator's value is critical for accurate and non-disruptive operation.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: based on the value of the state indicator indicating that the memory block is in the identified pre-defined state, sending a request to return the subset of the data stored in the memory block to the processor.
A system and method for managing data in a memory device involves monitoring the state of memory blocks to optimize data retrieval. The memory device includes multiple memory blocks, each storing data and having a state indicator that tracks its operational state. The system identifies a pre-defined state of a memory block, such as an idle or low-activity state, and uses this state to determine when to return data to a processor. When the state indicator confirms the memory block is in the identified state, the system sends a request to retrieve a subset of the stored data and transfer it to the processor. This approach improves efficiency by reducing unnecessary data transfers and ensuring timely access to relevant data. The method may also include additional steps such as determining the subset of data to return based on priority or relevance, or adjusting the state indicator in response to memory access patterns. The system ensures that data retrieval is aligned with the memory block's operational state, enhancing performance and resource utilization.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: based on the value of the state indicator indicating that the memory block is in the pre-defined state, identifying the pre-defined state based on the value of the state indicator without at least one of directly inspecting any contents of the memory block and returning any of the contents to the processor.
This invention relates to memory management systems, specifically optimizing the handling of memory blocks in a computing system. The problem addressed is the inefficiency in determining the state of memory blocks, which often requires inspecting their contents or returning data to the processor, consuming time and resources. The method involves a memory controller that tracks the state of memory blocks using a state indicator. When the state indicator shows a predefined state, the controller identifies this state without directly inspecting the block's contents or returning any data to the processor. This reduces overhead by avoiding unnecessary data transfers or inspections. The predefined state could indicate, for example, that the block is invalid, clean, or ready for reuse. The system includes a memory controller that monitors memory blocks and updates their state indicators based on operations like reads, writes, or invalidations. The state indicator is a metadata field associated with each block, allowing quick state determination. When the controller detects a predefined state, it bypasses traditional inspection steps, improving efficiency. This approach is particularly useful in systems where memory state checks are frequent, such as in virtual memory management or garbage collection, where minimizing latency is critical. By relying on state indicators, the system avoids redundant operations, enhancing performance.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: changing the value of the state indicator based on the repeating pattern not being the same as the specified data value.
A system and method for detecting and responding to repeating data patterns in a data stream. The technology addresses the problem of identifying and managing recurring data sequences in real-time data processing, which is critical for applications such as anomaly detection, data compression, and error correction. The method involves monitoring a data stream to detect repeating patterns and comparing these patterns to a specified data value. If a repeating pattern is detected, the system evaluates whether it matches the specified value. If the pattern does not match, the system updates a state indicator to reflect this discrepancy. The state indicator serves as a flag or status marker that can trigger further actions, such as alerting a user, adjusting processing parameters, or initiating corrective measures. The method ensures that deviations from expected patterns are promptly identified and addressed, improving the reliability and efficiency of data processing systems. The system may also include mechanisms for adjusting the sensitivity of pattern detection, allowing for fine-tuning based on specific application requirements. This approach enhances the adaptability of the system in various environments where data consistency and accuracy are paramount.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processor is coupled to a plurality of hierarchical caches including at least a first cache configured to be used by the processor for executing the operation, and a second cache configured to store a data structure including the state indicator.
This invention relates to a computing system with hierarchical caches and a method for managing processor operations. The system includes a processor coupled to multiple hierarchical caches, including at least a first cache used by the processor to execute operations and a second cache storing a data structure with a state indicator. The state indicator tracks the operational state of the processor or cache, such as whether the processor is active, idle, or in a power-saving mode. The hierarchical cache structure allows for efficient data access and management, reducing latency and improving performance. The second cache, which stores the state indicator, enables the system to quickly determine the processor's current state without accessing higher-level caches or main memory, enhancing responsiveness. The method involves the processor accessing the first cache for operation execution while the second cache maintains the state indicator, ensuring that the system can dynamically adjust based on the processor's state. This approach optimizes power consumption and performance by leveraging the hierarchical cache architecture to manage state information efficiently. The invention is particularly useful in systems requiring low-latency state tracking and efficient cache utilization.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein accessing the state indicator includes sending the request to a cache controller to inspect the data structure at the second cache and return the value of the state indicator without the processor moving the state indicator to the first cache.
This invention relates to cache memory systems in computing architectures, specifically addressing inefficiencies in accessing state indicators stored in lower-level caches. In modern processors, state indicators (e.g., flags or metadata) are often stored in higher-level caches (e.g., L1) to minimize latency, but this can lead to cache pollution and increased access times when frequently updated. The invention improves performance by allowing a processor to inspect a state indicator stored in a second cache (e.g., L2 or L3) without moving it to a first cache (e.g., L1). This avoids unnecessary cache line transfers, reducing latency and bandwidth usage. The method involves sending a request to a cache controller to directly inspect the state indicator in the second cache and return its value, bypassing the first cache. The cache controller manages the data structure in the second cache to facilitate this direct inspection. This approach is particularly useful in systems where state indicators are frequently accessed but rarely modified, such as in branch prediction or synchronization mechanisms. By minimizing cache traffic, the invention enhances overall system efficiency and performance.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the repeating pattern is treated by the processor as repeating sequentially in the memory block.
A system and method for processing repeating data patterns in memory involves identifying and managing sequences of identical or similar data elements stored in a memory block. The method includes detecting a repeating pattern within the memory block, where the pattern consists of one or more data elements that recur in a predictable sequence. The processor treats the repeating pattern as a continuous, sequential structure within the memory block, allowing for efficient storage, retrieval, and manipulation of the data. This approach reduces redundancy by storing the pattern only once and referencing it multiple times, optimizing memory usage and processing speed. The method may also include compressing the repeating pattern or applying error correction techniques to ensure data integrity. By recognizing and leveraging the sequential nature of repeating patterns, the system improves performance in applications such as data compression, caching, and memory management. The technique is particularly useful in systems where large datasets contain repetitive structures, such as multimedia files, databases, or real-time data streams. The processor dynamically adjusts to changes in the repeating pattern, maintaining efficiency even as data evolves over time.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the repeating pattern is treated by the processor as repeating sequentially across all lines of data stored in the memory block.
The invention relates to data processing techniques for handling repeating patterns in memory blocks. The problem addressed is efficiently managing and processing data that contains repetitive sequences, which can improve storage efficiency and processing speed. The method involves identifying a repeating pattern within a memory block and treating this pattern as repeating sequentially across all lines of data stored in the memory block. This approach allows the processor to recognize and utilize the repetitive nature of the data, reducing redundant operations and optimizing memory access. The method may include steps such as detecting the repeating pattern, determining its length, and applying a compression or processing technique that leverages the pattern's repetition. By treating the pattern as repeating across all lines, the processor can streamline data handling, particularly in applications where large datasets contain predictable or cyclic sequences. This technique is useful in fields like data compression, signal processing, and memory management, where recognizing and exploiting repetitive structures can enhance performance. The method ensures that the repeating pattern is consistently applied across the entire memory block, maintaining data integrity while improving efficiency.
Unknown
January 5, 2021
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.